Up on the Top (Topless) Deck

Hank looked around for Veevee on the deck. When he didn't see her, he decided to take a quick tour of the ship. The afternoon was warm and breezy. It would probably be another scorcher for Gary and Lil back on land.

Guessing at his wife's impulse, he headed up toward the top deck. Above the pool, circling the huge exhaust funnel, was an elevated deck reserved for topless sunbathing. Mere minutes into the cruise, it was probably deserted. He smiled. It would be just like Veevee to salute the cruise by baring her breasts to the afternoon sun as her very first act.

Hank opened the "Deck Closed" chain in front of the stairway to the Funnel Deck, stepped through and closed it behind him.

There was no one visible at the top of the stairs, but the deck circled around both directions. The deck's elevation meant that very little could be seen from the rest of the ship.

He saw Veevee's tennis shoes lying askew near the curve of the deck. A little further he saw her socks. He walked over and removed his shoes next to hers, then his socks. The deck was warm under his bare feet.

He followed the deck as it curved round the funnel.